Why did people want the king back in 1646?

Activity

Part 1

Historians have always been puzzled about why Charles had so much support in 1646. The best explanation they can come up with is that:

- People wanted peace and stability. They felt you could not have that without a king. Living through civil war was worse than living under Charles I’s rule.
- Rule by Parliament’s County Committees was worse than living under Charles I’s rule.
- Many people were suspicious that some Parliament leaders had radical (extreme) and dangerous ideas. People thought that getting Charles back on the throne would stop these radical Parliament leaders.

Work your way through the sources in the two case studies. Make a note of any sources that provide evidence to support the explanations that historians have come up with.

This research table might help you. Open the table and print it out or save it to your computer.

Research table

Why did Charles have so much support in 1646? Work your way through the sources in the two case studies.

Make a note of any sources that provide evidence to support the explanations that historians have come up with to answer this question. | Factors which explain support for Charles I in 1646 | Evidence which supports this explanation | |--------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------| | People wanted peace and stability. They felt you could not have that without a king. Living through civil war was worse than living under Charles I’s rule. | | | Rule by Parliament’s County Committees was worse than living under Charles I’s rule. | | | Many people were suspicious that some Parliament leaders had radical (extreme) and dangerous ideas. People thought that getting Charles back on the throne would stop these radical Parliament leaders. | |

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/ Part 2

You are a spy working for a foreign king! The year is 1646. This king is interested in what is happening in England and Scotland. He wants to know why people are now supporting Charles.

Your challenge is to write a report for the foreign king. You are not rich or important, but you have a friend in the archives. This means you can look at important documents to get an idea of what people are thinking and writing.

You need to provide evidence to back up your answers. (To get that evidence, look at the sources in the two case studies. It will help if you complete Part 1 of this activity first.)